Khamzat Chimaev is headlining this brand-new wrestling event
Abu Dhabi is getting a new five-year sporting fixture – and it is kicking off with a seriously star-studded night of wrestling.
Real American Freestyle (RAF) has announced a major five-year partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the UAE Wrestling Federation, bringing its professional wrestling events to the capital.
The first one takes place on Saturday, 14 November at Etihad Arena, with UFC star and UAE national Khamzat Chimaev set to headline the debut event.
And he will not be the only big name stepping into the ring.
Olympic and world wrestling champions Arman Tsarukyan, Henry Cejudo, Jordan Burroughs, Kyle Snyder and Abdulrashid Sadulaev are also confirmed to compete, with their individual matchups set to be announced in the coming weeks.
Chimaev’s opponent is also still under wraps, so there is plenty more to come before fight night.
The event marks RAF’s first appearance in the Middle East and the league’s third international event since launching, following events in Tbilisi, Georgia and Moscow, Russia.
For Abu Dhabi, it adds another major combat sports event to an already packed calendar, with the emirate increasingly becoming a destination for some of the biggest names in the sport.
Chimaev should make for a particularly big homecoming. The combat sports star is a naturalised UAE citizen and represents the country internationally, meaning he will be competing in front of a home crowd when RAF lands at Etihad Arena.
RAF CEO and Co-Founder Chad Bronstein said the partnership would give the league the chance to build Abu Dhabi into one of its signature events over the next five years.
The agreement also reflects the league’s rapid rise since its debut.
RAF recently celebrated its first anniversary with RAF12 in Cleveland, described as its biggest event so far, and has since expanded into a year-round platform featuring Olympic champions, world champions, NCAA stars and crossover names from wrestling and MMA.
The Abu Dhabi event will feature a full card of elite wrestlers and combat sports stars, with more matchups, event-week activities and broadcast details expected to be announced soon.
If you want to be there, fans are being encouraged to register their interest early via VisitAbuDhabi.ae ahead of tickets going on sale.
So, mark 14 November in the diary. Abu Dhabi is about to get very acquainted with RAF.
Additional matchups, venue information, tickets, event-week programming and broadcast details will be announced in the coming weeks.
14 November, Etihad Arena, Yas Island. For further information, visit etihadarea.ae
